Photo: Irish FA
Holders Portadown College won their second consecutive U16's Girls Schools' Cup with a 2-0 win over Parkhall Integrated. In an entertaining final at Windsor Park, both sides started well, showing no signs of nerves. The sides exchanged close strikes in the early stages with both goalkeepers busy.
In the 29th minute, Heidi Baird broke the deadlock through slotting the ball past the impressive Parkhall keeper Katelynn Kelly. It was a well worked goal, coming from an excellent lobbed pass from captain Leah Roney. The cool finish was the only thing separating the sides at half-time in a very even affair.
Parkhall came back after the interval with Portadown defender Faith Ritchie producing a brilliant tackle to deny Ella Kitson who had been a threat all game. Portadown keeper Beth Evans was then called to action to keep out a powerful effort from Holly Smyth.
Despite this Parkhall pressure, Portadown managed to get their second after another quality pass from Roney unleashed Martha Speers who had her shot come back off the post but luckily for the Armagh school, Baird got the rebound and found Sasha Thomspon to score. Thompson nearly got a brace right after but Kelly made a fine save.
Parkhall did not go into their shells and continued pushing, coming closest from a free-kick from Grace Murray which forced a quality stop from Evans. In a great game which featured numerous chances for both schools, Portadown's clinical finishing proved the difference.
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